OT: One of the Saddest Days of My Life: I'm putting my dog to sleep on Friday

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I know this is a gambling forum but putting this into words has been great therapy as I'm all talked out on the phone (I'm typing this last actually).

My dog was adopted from a shelter almost 2 years ago so he's probably just over 3. His original owner left him intact until he was surrendered at 1.5 years and had zero obedience training. We went to obedience school and I tried to be as consistent as possible. This past year he started to exhibit aggression (ie he bit someone) so we immediately saw a vet and found nothing physically wrong with him and was told to consult a behaviorist. The course of treatment would naturally have to be lifelong and I thought we made some progress. I avoided the only known trigger at the time which was tethering him while I went to buy groceries or a java. If approached he would be very friendly then suddenly react by growling or getting snappy. So, he has never been tied alone again after that. Then this summer he went after a woman's feet after he dropped his ball and when it started to roll away, she shuffle kicked it to him from about 3-4 ft away. This led me and the behaviorist to think that he was probably kicked in the past and now this trigger is manifesting itself. So, no balls to carry around and no kicking motion in his vicinity. The behaviorist recommended that I try the motion from several feet away and treating him and then gradually moving closer which didn't work because all he cared about was the food. My friend tested him with kicks and treats in front of him and nothing happened except empty calories for the dog. No treats though while kicking would get him quite agitated.

Two weeks ago I was lying on the sofa and he was lying beside me. He wasn't sleeping but looking at me and when I touched the bridge of his nose to stroke him, he nailed me completely out of the blue with a vicious bite. I suspect this was a pain memory from when he tried to eat a hornet or bee this year and got stung in the mouth. Back then I tried to carefully feel for the stinger to get it out and when I got to his snout he bit me but backed off right away. This pain memory is entirely plausible.

A dog walker I greatly respect and we've had several conversations about my dog, said that he was probably punished as a pup with severe and physical treatment so that led him to use biting as his only outlet. She tested him in the spring when I told her about his behavior and he bit her too. She said he exhibited no warning signs you would see before a dog bites - so the biting is idiopathic (ie no real explanation for it) which led her to the conclusion of extreme punishment early in his life.

Last night my tenant said he was leaving because he and his GF just don't feel comfortable around him after he bit me and I will be getting new tenants in December. I simply cannot have this kind of liability walking around my house and at the dog park. What if he had bit a child who touched his snout? Of course I have been extraordinarily vigilant since the first incident and anytime there are kids at the dog park, we walk away. He was fine with kids before but I simply will not risk letting him near children.

I could re-home him or give him back to the shelter (they have no space and surrenders are by appointment only) but that is simply dumping him onto someone else and because he is such a cutie (seriously, women love this dog) they may not take his aggression as seriously as me.

I think the kindest course of action is to put him to sleep. He can't wear a muzzle 24-7 and if he is constantly muzzled, what quality of life is that for him? As the dog walker said, if he bites again, what are you going to do? Punish him? I haven't cried this hard in 20 years.
 

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That is really terrible. I lost my dog a couple of years ago and It was like losing a member of the family. It does get better though with time.
 

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This is a forum not only for gambling but for all aspects as life as we see from the topics being posted.

I think it's a great form of thearpy and a great way to vent.

Sorry about losing your dog. I lost a dog last year and I was devastated. Still hard to imagine.
 

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I'd give this dog anothe chance. I have 7 dogs and they aren't people friendly but they are all great loves. PLEASE give this dog a chance. With a little patience he'll come around. If he was abused then he has a right to snap! He just has to get to know you better! PLEASE don't put this dog down!
 
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Sorry to hear Logan. Some dogs can't overcome their breeding and early abuse.
 

gerhart got hosed
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We named our first dog Paxson, after John Paxson. she died a few years ago...sucked hard. John found out that we named our dog after him and wanted to meet her...she was already dead though. I thought it was pretty cool that he knows we named our dog after him.
 

hangin' about
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Dogs are just like family.

So sorry to hear about your pain, Logan.
 

Stumblin' around, drunk on burgundy wine.
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This is a sad story for both you and your dog. I wonder if your dog truely can't be rehabilatated or if possibly someone else could bring him around.

Hopefully you've tried to go down all other avenues before making this decision.
 

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Logan sad news and i know what you are going thru.i had to put asleep my dog Toby a fews yr ago.i had him for about 15 yrs and the old age caught up.one of the hardest days of my life as i took him to the vet on a friday morning could not go home and went out of town for the weekend,just to get my head back together.i just now about 5 yrs later got a new puppy Bandit a few months ago.my heart goes out to you.............ck
 

" Thanks for tip Bricktop "
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Cal (darker mix) is 10 on 11/29 and Turkish (retriever) is 3. Dont even want to think about the inevitable day though I know its coming.

:cryingcry
 
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I would try a farm. Really........My family had the same problem with a dog. The farmer was well known in his community. The dog had a very good life. Your dog is still very young. Something to think about! Not an easy call...
 

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I think putting him down is the wrong thing to do here. There must be another way.

Big animal lover here. Dogs and birds. I know that some of the best and most loyal dogs you can get for pets come from the shelters.
 

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My dog is more important to me than ALL of my friends and family members other than my sister, mother and father.
 

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I have a dog that is Scared to Death of Strangers, she was never abused either, I had her at 6 weeks old......

luckily, she has no aggression, but her fear is definatly abnormal. People always asked if she was abused.

Once she gets to know you she is fine, she is also fine around those she knows and lovs, playful, rambuncious, but it takes her many many visits or a long stay of more than 24 hours. If a stranger walks in the house she freezes right up immediatly, and thats it for her till that person leaves or till she starts to trust them, which takes days, not hours.

My point is, like people, some dogs may just be sick psychologically, its possible this dog wasnt abused (mine wasnt) and that it is just her or his nature. Maybe the dog has schizofrenia for dogs or something.
 

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Panda Loves Everyone!!!! see Kiwi in the background!!! lol

Dog_Pictures_014.sized.jpg
 

For G-Baby
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Jesus christ, what a sad story...sorry to hear that man...GL with whatever you decide. Sorry that you and your dog have to go through this.
 

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Panda is almost 7 and I know our time together is in its last phase, the thought of it breaks my heart
 

J-Man Rx NFL Pick 4 Champion for 2005
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stuckinvegas said:
I'd give this dog anothe chance. I have 7 dogs and they aren't people friendly but they are all great loves. PLEASE give this dog a chance. With a little patience he'll come around. If he was abused then he has a right to snap! He just has to get to know you better! PLEASE don't put this dog down!
My feeling exactly ! If the dog does this again, perhaps you would have no choice but give the poor dog another chance ! Good Luck to you and your dog !
 

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